Cotton treating compositions



United States Patent O 3,336,222 COTTON TREATING COMPOSITIONS Donald Schaaf, Clifton, Thomas V. Minis, Metuchen, and

Gerald J. Desmond, Jr., Glen Rock, N.J., assignors to Nopco Chemical Company, Newark, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Filed Jan. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 426,665

16 Claims. (Cl. 2528.7)

This invention relates in general to treating cotton and in particular to lubricating and treating compositions for use in the processing of cotton fibers into yarn.

Heretofore, in the processing of cotton fibers into yarns, the use of such materials as mineral oil, kerosene and water has invariably been resorted to. These materials have been successful in reducing the fly and dusting, i.e., the tendency of the cotton fibers to break away and float in the air during its processing into yarn. However while such substances as mineral oil and water have been successful in controlling the dusting or fly of the cotton fibers, they have not substantially improved the processing properties of the cotton fiber, these improved processing properties being extremely desirable in the processing of cotton fibers into yarn. These properties include increased fiber to fiber cohesion, increased yarn strength, decreased fiber to metal friction and improved static protection.

In order to improve the processing properties of cotton fibers, it has been proposed to utilize compositions containing fatty components as treating agents in the processing of cotton fiber into yarns. While these compositions have been utilized successfully in the treating of other textile materials such as wool, etc., these fatty compounds have not been utilized successfully in the processing of cotton fibers. This is due to the fact that these fatty compositions are relatively hydrophilic. Hence when these compositions are applied to cotton fiber, they cause the cotton fiber to absorb moisture from the atmosphere so that the cotton is thereby rendered sticky and tacky. This tacky condition causes the cotton fibers to wrap around the moving parts of the processing machinery which it contacts during its processing into yarn. Thus, the successful production of cotton yarn from fiber is seriously hampered by the use of these fatty components.

In order to solve this problem caused by the tacky and sticky condition of the cotton fiber, it has been suggested to use hydrophobic fatty lubricant compositions. However, due to the hydrophobic nature of these compositions, they are extremely diflicult to apply tocotton fibers by means of an aqueous medium which is utilized to apply lubricant composition to cotton. Due to the difficulty of applying these relatively hydrophobic fatty compositions to cotton fiber, the fatty compositions can not be uniformly dispersed easily throughout the cotton fibers. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve the beneficial processing properties with treating compositions containing relatively hydrophobic fatty compositions. Another drawback to the use of these relatively hydrophobic treating compositions is that they do not provide any static protection for the fibers. That is, these compositions do not reduce the static electrical charge that accumulates on the cotton fibers during processing. The accumulation of static charge makes the processing of the cotton fibers into yarn more difiicult.

Due to the aforementioned drawbacks, as well as their high cost, textile treating compositions containing fatty compounds have not been used commercially to improve the processing properties of cotton. Hence in almost all cotton processing operations, the only treating agents that have been utilized commercially with any success have been materials such as mineral oil and water which reduce fly and dusting but which do not otherwise improve the processing properties of cotton fibers.

Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide cotton treating compositions containing fatty components that have suflicient hydrophilic properties so that they can be applied easily by means of a water emulsion to cotton fibers without the danger of creating a tacky condition on the cotton fiber.

It is a further object of this invention to provide cotton treating compositions that can be removed easily from cotton fiber by means of any conventional washing or scouring process.

It is a further object of this invention to provide waterdispersible cotton treating compositions which will prevent fiy and dusting of the cotton fibers to which they are applied.

It is a further object to provide water-dispersible cotton treating compositions which will decrease the static electrical properties of cotton, increase the cotton yarn strength, lower the fiber to metal friction of the cotton and increase the fiber cohesion of the cotton without contributing to card loading.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

We have unexpectedly discovered that the above and other objects can be successfully achieved by the utilization of compositions containing (1) from about 65% to about by weight of fatty acid mono esters of liquid aliphatic alcohols or mixtures thereof, (2) from about 5% to about 25% by weight of liquid polyethylene glycol esters of higher fatty acids and mixtures thereof and (3) from about 1% to about 10% by Weight of a compound which is a salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate or mixtures thereof. We have discovered that such compositions contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties in the requisite balance, thereby imparting new and improved processing properties to the cotton fibers without the danger of the cotton fibers becoming tacky and sticky. Furthermore, these compositions may be removed by any conventional scouring or washing process. The properties which are imparted to the cotton fibers by the compositions of this invention in addition to reduction of the fly or dusting of the cotton fiber, include a reduction in the fiber to metal friction, an increase in the cotton yarn strength and a decrease in the accumulation of static charge on the cotton fiber. Additionally the compositions of this invention do not cause card loading as is the case with products containing mineral oil. A further advantage of this invention is the ability to apply these compositions to cotton fibers by utilizing either aqueous dispersions or emulsions of the same.

It is only through blending of the aforementioned ingredients in the aforementioned proportions that we are able to produce compositions that have the requisite balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties so that they may be applied to cotton fibers from an aqueous system to produce the various aforementioned beneficial processing properties. Without this proper balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties in these compositions, it would not be possible to produce a commercially successful textile treating agent for use in processing cotton which would impart to the cotton the aforementioned beneficial processing properties.

In preparing the textile treating compositions of this invention any fatty acid mono ester of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic alcohols having from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof may be utilized. The fatty acids employed in preparing the esters component in the compositions of this invention generally contain from about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms and include such fatty acids as palmitic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, ricinoleic acid, behenic acid, etc. The aliphatic alcohols utilized in preparing these esters are liquid saturated or unsaturated aliphatic alcohols containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, pentyl alcohol, allyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, hexadecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, etc. Typical esters which can be utilized in the compositions of this invention include isobutyl laurate, n-butyl palmitate, methyl stearate, hexyl stearate, butyl stearate, etc. In preparing the compositions of this invention, it is necessary to utilize from about 65 to about 85% by weight of said composition, of the alkyl ester of the fatty acid in order to obtain the aforementioned beneficial cotton processing properties. If amounts of the alkyl ester of the fatty acid greater than about 85% or less than about 65% are utilized, the compositions will not have the proper hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance.

The second component in our compositions is composed of esters of fatty acids or mixtures thereof. Exemplary of these liquid polyethylene glycol esters are the liquid polyethylene glycol esters of aliphatic saturated or unsaturated fatty acids containing from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, the polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids as lauric, oleic, palmitic, stearic, behenic, etc. These esters can be produced by the reaction of polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of at least 200, with any of the aforementioned fatty acids. Preferably, we have found that best results are achieved by utilizing fatty acid esters formed from polyethylene glycols having molecular weights of from about 200 to about 1000. In preparing the compositions of this invention, it is necessary to utilize from about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on the weight of the treating composition, of the polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids. If amounts of lower than 5% or greater than 25% of the polyethylene glycol esters are utilized, the textile treating compositions will not have the requisite hydrophobichydrophilic balance that is needed to produce the aforementioned beneficial processing properties when the compositions are applied to cotton. The third component of the composition of this invention is a salt of an aryl alkyl sulfonate. This component can be represented by the general formula:

wherein R is a hydrocarbon radical containing from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, n is an integer from about 1 to about 4, with the proviso that (R) contains from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms, y is an integer from 1 to 2, Ar is an arylene radical selected from the group consisting of benzene, phenol, naphthalene and naphthol and M is a cation selected from the group consisting of ammonium, barium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and:

wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12. Typical compounds falling into this category are the ammonium, barium, sodium, calcium and magnesium salts of dibutyl benzene sulfonic acid, lauryl benzene sulfonic acid, dioctyl benzene sulfonic acid, mono nonyl benzene sulfonic acid, isododecyl benzene sulfonic acid, mono stearyl benzene sulfonic acid, dodecyl phenol sulfonic acid, dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, didodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, dodecyl naphthol sulfonic acid. Furthermore, amine salts of the above compounds can also be utilized. Typical amine salts are diisopropyl amine,

isopropyl amine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, methyl amine, pentyl amine, dipentyl amine salts of the aforementioned sulfonic acid compounds. If desired mixtures of these alkyl aryl sulfonate salts may be utilized in the composition of this invention. In producing the composition of this inventon, it is necessary to utilize this specific alkyl aryl sulfonate salt in an amount of from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the composition. If less than about 1% or more than about 10% of this alkyl aryl sulfonate component is utilized in the composition of this invention, the requisite hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance is not obtained so that the resulting compositions will not produce the aforementioned beneficial processing properties when they are applied to cotton.

In utilizing the compositions of this invention in treating cotton, it is preferred to include a liquid carrier in the compositions. Typical liquid carriers which may be utilized in accordance with this invention are saturated and unsaturated liquid fatty acids having from about 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Typical acids which can be utilized in accordance with this invention include oleic acid, palmitic acid, ricinoleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, etc. as well as their mixtures. If it is desired to include a liquid carrier in the composition of this invention, it is generally preferred to utilize from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said liquid carrier, based on the weight of the composition.

In accordance with this invention a liquid auxiliary agent may be added to the compositions of this invention to provide additional stability when the compositions are emulsified or dispersed in water. Typical liquid compounds which may be utilized to enhance emulsion-stability of these compositions are given by the following formulas:

(OCzHOXOH (OCQHO OH wherein R and R" are aliphatic saturated straight chain or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals having from about 7 to about 12 carbon atoms such as n-octyl, dodecyl, iso octyl, n-nonyl, sec-nonyl, tert octyl, n-heptyl, isodecyl, Z-ethyl-n-heptyl, Z-ethyl n-hexyl, n-decyl, iso heptyl, 2-ethyl n-pentyl, 3-ethyl n-pentyl, 2 methyl n-hexyl, 2 methyl n-heptyl, 2 methyl n-octyl, 2 methyl n-nonyl, etc., R and R are either the monovalent hydrogen radical or -CH and x is an integer from 3 to 10. Typical liquid auxiliary agents which can be utilized include the triethylene glycol ether of n-nonyl phenol, the tetra oxyethylene glycol ether of iso octyl phenol, the poly ethylene glycol ether (mol. wt.=400) of n-decyl phenol, the polyethylene glycol ether (mol. wt.:200) of 2 ethyl pentyl phenol, etc. If it is desired to add an emulsion stabilizer to the composition of this invention, it is preferable to add the emulsion stabilizer in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. While in many cases it is desirable to add an emulsion stabilizer to the cotton treating composition of this invention, it is by no means necessary to do so since excellent cotton treating results are obtained without utilizing same.

The cotton treating compositions of this invention may be compounded by merely mixing the ingredients at room temperature. Preferably the ingredients may be mixed at temperatures up to about F. to facilitate mixing. Furthermore the resultant compositions are clear liquids which are easily dispersed or emulsified in water at room temperature.

The compositions of this invention may be applied at any step in the process of producing yarn from cotton (0 CzHOxOH fibers. However it is preferred to apply the compositions of this invention in the form of an aqueous emulsion during the first stage of the processing of cotton fiber into yarns. This allows the beneficial results of the compositions to be carried through every step of the yarn producing process.

The compositions can be applied to the cotton fiber during the first processing step in any conventional manner. Generally it is preferred to spray the cotton fibers with the compositions while the fibers are in a closed container such as a hopper. In this manner, fiy or dusting of the cotton fiber is immediately prevented and because compositions are applied at this early stage of the process, all of the beneficial processing properties which result from the use of the compositions of this invention are realized during subsequent processing.

In preparing the aqueous emulsions or dispersions containing the cotton treating compositions, the compositions can be added to water at room temperature while stirring until they are thoroughly dispersed in the water. If desired the water may be heated to a temperature of 50 C. to aid the dispersion. Temperatures of above 50 C. should in most cases be avoided since the compositions or components therein tend to separate at high temperatures. The concentration of the composition in Water may be Varied Widely but it is preferred that the aqueous emulsion or dispersion contain from about to about 30% by weight of the compositions of this invention. The dispersion should be applied to the cotton fiber in an amount sufficient to deposit on the cotton fibers from about 0.1%

by weight to about 2% by weight of the fatty compositions of this invention, based on the Weight of dry fiber.

During the carding operation wherein cotton is produced in sliver form from cotton fibers, superior carding results have been obtained due to the excellent lubricating and antistatic properties of the compositions of this invention. Also due to the increased fiber to fiber friction obtained by utilizing the compositions of this invention, a greater cohesion of the cotton fibers are obtained, thereby allowing a better and more efficient carding operation. Additionally the improved compositions of this invention, when applied to cotton fibers do not produce card loading during the carding operation, i.e. the tendency of the cotton fibers to stick to the wires of the carding machine which can result in a shutdown of the carding machines during the carding operation. This is true since cotton fibers treated with the composition of this invention are not gummy or sticky. Therefore, the cotton fibers have little tendency to stick to the wires of the carding machine. This greatly reduces the shutdowns which are necessary to strip the fibers from the wires. In this manner the efficiency of the carding operation is greatly increased.

In the drafting operation where the cotton slivers are drawn into roving, the improved cohesion imparted to the cotton fibers by the compositions of this invention permits the placing of less twist in the roving thereby reducing the cost of thisoperation. This twist is placed in the cotton roving in order to give added strength to the cotton roving.

Due to the improved processing of cotton fibers treated with the compositions of this invention prior to spinning, it is found that far fewer broken ends occur during the spinning of the roving into yarn. This provides for a more efiicient and economical spinning operation which has long been desired in the art. Additionally, the enhanced fiber cohesion imparted to the yarn by the compositions of this invention produce a yarn of greater strength than has heretofore been obtained.

The textile treating compositions of this invention can be removed easily from the cotton yarn after processing by any conventional scouring process.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects f this invention, reference may be had to the following examples which are given merely as further illustrations 6 of the invention and are not to be construed in a limiting sense.

Examples I to XX are directed to the preparation of the compositions of this invention. The ingredients in each of Examples I through XXI were mixed together at room temperature to form the liquid composition.

Example I The following ingredients in the following proportions were mixed together to form a liquid composition: Ingredients: Percent by weight Butyl palmitate 75.4 Bryton HY 5.5 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular Weight 400) and lauric acid 16.1 Oleic acid 3.0

A mixture of by weight of the sodium salt of mono dodecyl benzene sulfonate and 10% by Weight of the sodium salt of di dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

Example II Ingredients: Percent by weight Butyl palmitate 73.3 Bryton HY 5.3

Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

Example III Ingredients: Percent by weight Hexadecyl stearate 73.3 Bryton HY 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

Example 1V Ingredients: Percent by weight Methyl tallowate 73.3 Bryton HY 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of methyl oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

1 (A mixture containing about 3% by weight of the methyl ester of myristic acid, about 29% by weight of the methyl ester of palmitic acid, about 19% by weight of the methyl ester of stearic acid, about 46% by weight of the methyl ester of oleic acid, and about 3% by Weight of the methyl ester of lineolic acid.)

Example V Ingredients: Percent by weight Polysperm 300 1 73.3 Bryton HY 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

1 (A mixture containing oxidized, hydroxylated and epoxidized higher alcohol esters of C18 through C18 fatty acids, said mixture having a saponificatiou value of 165 to 180, a viscosity of from about 280 to 300 SUS at R, an iodine 8 Example XIV Ingredients: Percent by weight Ingredients: Percent by weight Methyl oleate 73.3 Butyl palmitate 73.3 Bryton HY -3 Bryton HY 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular 5 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 weight 600) with lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with 4 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4-8 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1. Oleic acid 1.0

Exam le VIII Example XV Ingredients: p Percent by Weight Ingredients: Percent by weight Butyl Oleate 733 Butyl palmitate 65.8 Bryton HY 5 3 Bryton HY Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular Condensate o PPM/ l g (molecular Weight 400 d l i id 15.6 Welght Wlth laurlc acld Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with Condensate of 1 mole nonyl Phenol with 4 4 01 5 of ethylene Oxide 4.8 ethylene oxlde Oleic acid 1.0 01610 acld 1.0

20 7 Example XVI Example IX h Ingredients: Percent by weight Ingredients: Percent y 23 Butyl palmitate 850 Butyl steal'at B t 3 0 Bryton HY 25 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular C n fm 0f P y yl g y (molecular 15 6 weight 400 with lauric acid 8.8

Welght 400) and launc acld "F Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with 4 Condensate of 1 m le of n yl Phenol W1t moles of ethylene Oxide 26 4 moles of ethylene oxide Oleic acid 0 6 Oleic acid 30 Example XVII ExampleX Ingredients: Percent by weight Ingredients: P r y welght Butyl palmitate 77.7 Butyl palmitate Bryton HY 5.7 Bryton HY Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular Condensate of polyethylene g ycol (molecular weight 400) with lauric acid 10,0

Weight 300) d lauric acid Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with 4 Condensate of 1 mole of n nyl Phenol With moles of ethylene oxide 5,3 4 moles of ethylene oxide Oleic acid 1,3 Oleic acid 1.0 40

Example XVIII 7 Ingredients: Percent by weight Example XI Ingredients: I Percent y Weigh; ggtz fi$ g g f gj n 25 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular I h u a Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular dfns ag g l iggli g fig li gffilgfigluafij 20.0 weight 200) n lallrlc acld moles of eth lene oxide 4 6 Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with Oleic 'd Y 0.6 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid Example XIX redients: Percent by weight Example XII Butyl palmitate 75.6

Ingredients: Per y Weight Bryton HY Butyl palmitate C011d11Sal6 f polyethylene glycol (molecular Bryton Y 5- Weight 400) with lauric acid 1 ,1 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol With 4 Weight 100) and lame acid 15.6 f ethylene oxide Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with 4 01610 acld 1.0

moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0 Example XX Ingreglienlts: 1 Percent by weight ut a in Exampt XIII BI IOH HYEL i313 Ingredients: Percent Welght Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular Butyl palmitate Weight 400) with lauric acid 14.5 Bryton HY Condensate Of 1 mole of nonyl ph l with 4 Condensate of 1 mole of hydrogenated castor moles f ethylene Oxide 44 oil 1 with 25 moles of ethylene oxide T 15.6 Ol i id (L6 Condensate of 1 mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 E l XXI Oleic acid 1.0

The followin exam le is directed to 1 (A mixture containing about 85% by weight of hydroxy g p a cotton treatmg stearic acid, about 12% by weight of stearic acid and about iomposltloll Yvhlch ,does not Contaip l of h PP 3% by weight of Oleic acid) 75 tions of this invention. The following ingredients in the 9 p a following proportions were mixed together at room temperature to form a liquid composition:

Ingredients: Percent by weight Methyl ricinoleate 75.0 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) with lauric acid 25.0

Example XXII This example is directed to testing the compositions of Examples I to XXI as well as mineral oil, the polyethylene glycol ester of lauric acid and kerosene for their moisture absorbency and to testing the draw force of various yarns treated with the compositions of Examples I to XXI as Well as mineral oil, the polyethylene glycol ester of lauric acid and kerosene for their draw force.

(A) Moisture absrpti0n.-The moisture absorbency of a liquid textile treating agent is the ability of the agent to pick up water from the air. The water which is absonbed from the atmosphere causes the treated cotton to become tacky so that when these agents are applied to the cotton fibers, the so treated cotton adheres to the various parts of the processing apparatus. This results in the cotton processing apparatus becoming filled with cotton fibers causing a decrease in the efliciency of the processing of cotton fiber into yarn.

The moisture absorption test of the compositions of Examples I to XXI as well as of Tex Spray (a mineral oil having a viscosity of 55 SUS at 100 F.), polyethylene glycol (molecular weight=400) ester of lauric acid and kerosene was performed by placing a 2 gram sample of each of the materials to be tested in separate aluminum dishes having a diameter of 2% inches. Each of the aluminum dishes was placed for a 24-hour period in a humidity chamber maintained at a relative humidity of 90% and a temperature of 78 F. After this period, the samples were removed from the chamber and weighed and the weight increase, which is the amount of moisture (H O) the sample adsorbed after standing for 24 hours at 90%, was recorded. The percentages given in Table I are 100 times the amount of moisture (H O) adsorbed by the sample after standing for 24 hours at 90% relative humidity divided by the original weight of the sample'(2 grams).

(B) Draw force.-The draw force of cotton fiber is the measure of the force in grams necessary to pull apart a bundle of fibers While the fibers are in sliver form. The greater the draw force, the greater is the strength of the sliver. The ability of textile treating compositions to increase the draw force of a cotton sliver is based on their ability to increase fiber to fiber friction.

The draw force of cotton treated with the compositions of Examples I to XXI as well as the kerosene, the polyethylene glycol ester of lauric acid (molecular weight =400) and Tex Spray mineral oil was tested as follows.

parts by weight of each of the materials to be tested except the mineral oil, were individually and separately emulsified in 80 parts by weight of water. 0.675 gram of each of these water emulsions (which contained 0.135 gram of the treating agent) were sprayed by means of an atomizer on separate sample bales of cotton fiber, each bale weighing 45 grams. Tex Spray mineral oil was applied to cotton fibers by spraying, by means of an atomizer, 0.135 gram of pure Tex Spray mineral oil on a 45 gram sample bale of cotton fibers. Hence each sample bale contained 0.135 gram of the treating agent to be tested.

Each of the bales was opened and its fibers which contained the textile treating agent were separately carded into slivers by means of a Shirley card manufactured by Platt Brothers Ltd. After carding, the draw force of each of the treated cotton slivers was measured by means of the West Point Cohesion Tester disclosed in U.S. Patent No.

10 2,705,423. The results of this test are also recorded in Table I.

TABLE I Water absorbency at 90% RH. for 24 hrs. (percent) Draw force of treated cotton (grams) Products Example: I

Kerosene.

Tex Spray (mineral Polyethylene glycol ester of lauric acid (molecular weight 400) prr e'w wm wm m s m s emm As seen from this table, compositions such as the composition of Example XXI which do not contain all of the essential components of the composition of this invention as well as polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids have a much greater moisture absorbency than compositions of this invention. This can be seen by comparing the Water absorbency results in Table I of Examples I to XX with that of Example XXI and the polyethylene glycol ester of lauric acid. Since compositions such as that given in Example XXI and polyethylene glycol have a high water absorbency, they are unsuited for application to cotton during processing into yarn since they cause the cotton to become sticky and tacky.

Furthermore as seen from this table, materials like kerosene and mineral oil do not substantially improve the textile processing properties such as the draw force of cotton. This can be seen by comparing the draw force of cotton treated with the compositions of this invention (Examples I to XX) with that of cotton treated with mineral oil and kerosene. As seen from this table, the draw force of cotton fibers treated with the compositions of this invention is much greater than cotton treated with kerosene or mineral oil.

Example XXIII This example is directed to determining the static buildup properties of cotton treated with the composition of Example I against cotton treated with mineral oil.

20 parts by weight of the composition of Example I were emulsified in parts by weight of water. 0.67 gram of this aqueous emulsion (containing 0.135 gram of the treating composition of Example I) was sprayed by means of an atomizer, on a 45 gram sample bale of cotton fiber. The cotton fiber was treated with mineral oil by spraying 0.135 gram of Tex Spray mineral oil on a 45 gram sample bale of cotton fibers.

Each of the treated cotton fibers were carded on a Shirley card (manufactured by Platt Brothers Ltd.) to arrange the fibers in a parallel position. The static electrical charge which was generated on the cotton during this operation was measured (in volts) by means of an electrostatic locator which was placed a distance of /2" over the cotton as the cotton came off the car-ding machine. The data is recorded in Table H.

11 TABLE II.STATIC TESTS FOR COTTON UTILIZING A PRODUCT OF THIS INVENTION AS- COMPARED TO UTILIZING A MINERAL OIL Cotton treated with the Static charge after following products: carding (volts) Mineral oil 44.90 Example I 1.05

As seen from the above table treating agents of this invention substantially reduce the accumulation of static electrical charge whereas mineral oil does not reduce the accumulation of the static electrical charge. This is demonstrated by the fact that there is very little buildup of static electrical charge in cotton fibers treated with the compositions of this invention after carding. This reduction in the static electrical charge substantially increases the efficiency of operation in processing of cotton fibers into yarn.

Example XXIV The following ingredients in the following proportions were mixed together at room temperature to form a liquid composition:

Ingredients: Percent by weight Butyl palmitate 73.3 M-Soap 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

1 (Alkali metal salt of petroleum sulfonate.)

This composition was applied to cotton in the manner outlined in Example XXII. The draw force of the cotton containing this composition was tested in the manner of Example XXII. This draw force was 402 grams.

Example XXVI Ingredients: Pencent by weight Butyl palmitate 73.3 Calcium salt of dodecyl benzene sulfonate 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

This composition was applied to cotton in the manner outlined in Example XXII. The draw force of the cotton containing this composition was tested in the manner of Example XXII. This draw force was 398 grams.

Example XXVII Ingredients: Percent by weight Butyl palmitate 73.3 Sodium salt of nonyl naphthalene sulfonate 5.3 Condensate of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400) and lauric acid 15.6 Condensate of one mole of nonyl phenol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide 4.8 Oleic acid 1.0

1.2 This composition was applied to cotton in the manner outlined in Example XXII. The draw force of the cotton containing this composition was tested in the manner of Example XXII. This draw force was 408 grams.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A water dispersible cotton treating composition comprising (a) from about 65% to about by weight of a fatty acid mono ester of a liquid alkanol containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, said fatty acid containing from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, (b) from about 5% by Weight to about 25% by weight of a liquid polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid containing 10 to 24 carbon atoms, said polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 200 to 1,000, (c) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of a compound having the formula wherein R in the above formula is an alkyl radical containing from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1 to 4, with the proviso that (R) contains from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms, y is an integer from 1 to 2, Ar is a radical selected from the group consisting essentially of benzene, phenol, naphthalene an naphthol and M is a cation selected from the group consisting essentially of ammonium, barium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and

wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12.

2. The water dispersible cotton treating composition of claim 1 wherein the fatty acid mono ester is butyl palmitate.

3. A water dispersible cotton treating composition comprising (a) from about 65% to about 85% by weight of fatty acid mono ester of a liquid alkanol containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, said fatty acid containing from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms,

(b) from about 5% by Weight to about 25 by weight of a liquid polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid containing 10 to 24 carbon atoms, said polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 200, to 1,000,

(c) from about 1% to 10% by weight of a compound having the formula wherein R in the above formula is an alkyl radical containing from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1 to 4, with the proviso that (R) contains from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms, y is an integer from 1 to 2, Ar is a radical selected from the group consisting essentially of benzene, phenol, naphthalene and naphthol and M is a cation selected from the group consisting essentially of ammonium, barium, sodium, cal cium, magnesium, and

wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12,

(d) from about 0.5% to about by weight of a carrier, said carrier being a liquid fatty acid, having from about 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

4. A water dispersible cotton treating composition of claim 3 wherein the fatty acid mono ester is butyl palmitate.

5. A water dispersible cotton treating composition of claim 4 wherein the carrier is oleic acid.

6. A water dispersible cotton treating composition comprising q (a) from about 65% to about 85% by Weight of fatty acid mono ester of a liquid alkanol containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, said fatty acid containing from about to 24 carbon atoms,

(b) from about 5% by weight to about 25 by weight of a liquid polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid containing 10 to 24 carbon atoms, said polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 200 to 1,000,

(c) from about 1% to 10%% by weight of a compound having the formula wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12,

(d) from about 0.5% to about 5% by Weight of a carrier, said carrier being a liquid fatty acid having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, (e) from about 0.5% to 10% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting essentially of:

(OC2H4)gOH (OCzHthOH (OCQHDXOH R1 (}J and RI RI! RI wherein R and R" are aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing from about 7 to 12 carbon atoms, x is a number from 2 to 10 and R and R are selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen and CH 7. The water dispersible cotton treating composition of claim 6 wherein the fatty acid mono ester is butyl palmitate.

8. A method of treating cotton fibers comprising applying to cotton fibers an aqueous emulsion containing from about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight of a textile treating composition, said textile treating composition being composed of (a) from about 65 to about 85% by weight of fatty acid mono ester of a liquid alkanol containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, said fatty acid containing from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms,

(b) from about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight of a liquid polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid containing 10 to 24 carbon atoms, said polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 200 to 1,000,

(c) from about 1% to 10% by weight of a compound having the formula wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12, said emulsion being applied to said fibers in an amount Sufficient to deposit on said fibers from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of said textile treating composition based on the weight of dry fiber.

9. A method of treating cotton fibers as set forth in claim 8 wherein the fatty acid mono ester is butyl pal mitate.

10. A method of treating cotton fibers comprising applying to cotton fibers an aqueous emulsion containing from about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight of a textile treating composition, said textile treating composition being composed of (a) from about 65% to about by weight of fatty acid mono ester of a liquid alkanol containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, said fatty acid containing from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms,

(b) from about 5% by Weight to about 25 by weight of a liquid polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid containing 10 to 24 carbon atoms, said polyethylene glycol having a molecular Weight of from about 200 to 1,000,

(c) from about 1% to 10% by weight of a compound having the formula wherein R in the above formula is an alkyl radical containing from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1 to 4, with the proviso that (R) contains from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms, y is an integer from 1 to 2, Ar is a radical selected from the group consisting essentially of benzene, phenol, naphthalene and naphthol and M is a cation selected from the group consisting essentially of ammonium, barium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and

wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12.

(d) from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a carrier, said carrier being a liquid fatty acid, having from about 12 to 18 carbon atoms, applying said emulsion to said fibers in an amount sufiicient to deposit on said fibers from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of said textile treating composition based on the weight of dry fiber.

11. A method of treating cotton fibers as set forth in claim 10 wherein the fatty acid mono ester is butyl palmitate.

12. A method of treating cotton fibers as set forth i claim 11 wherein the carrier is oleic acid.

13. A method of treating cotton fibers comprising applying to cotton fibers an aqueous emulsion containing from about10% by weight to about 30% by weight of a textile treating composition, said textile treating composition being composed of (a) from about 65% to about 85% by weight of fatty acid mono ester of a liquid alkanol containing from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, said fatty acid containing from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms,

(b) from about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight of a liquid polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid containing to 24 carbon atoms, said polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 200 to 1,000,

(c) from about 1% to 10% by weight of a compound having the formula wherein R in the above formula is an alkyl radical containing from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1 to 4, with the proviso that (R) contains from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms, y is an integer from 1 to 2, Ar is a radical selected from the group consisting essentially of benzene, phenol, naphthalene and naphthol and M is a cation selected from the group consisting essentially of ammonium, barium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and

R1---l}I--Rs wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R and R is from about 1 to about 12,

1 6 (d) from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of a carrier, said carrier being a liquid fatty acid having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, (e) from about 0.5% to 10% by weight of a compound selectcd from the group consisting essentialwherein R and R" are aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing from about 7 to 12 carbon atoms, x is a number from 3 to 10, and R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and CH applying said emulsion to said fibers in an amount suflicient to deposit on said fibers from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of said textile treating composition based on the weight of dry fiber.

14. A method of treating cotton fibers as set forth in claim 13 wherein the fatty acid mono ester is butyl palmitate.

15. A method of treating cotton fibers as set forth in claim 14 where the carrier is oleic acid.

16. Cotton yarn characterized by enhanced yarn strength, said yarn being treated with the composition of claim 1.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,069,303 2/1937 Dreyfus et al 2528.6 2,626,887 1/1953 Ambelang 2528.7 2,810,694 10/1957 McLean et al. 2528.9 XR

LEON D. ROSDOL, Primary Examiner.

I. T. FEDIGAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A WATER DISPERSIBLE COTTON TREATING COMPOSITION COMPRISING (A) FROM ABOUT 65% TO ABOUT 85% BY WEIGHT OF A FATTY ACID MONO ESTER OF A LIQUID ALKANOL CONTAINING FROM ABOUT 1 TO AB OUT 18 CARBON ATOMS, SAID FATTY ACID CONTAINING FROM ABOUT 10 TO 24 CARBON ATOMS, (B) FROM ABOUT 5% BY WEIGHT TO ABOUT 25% BY WEIGHT OF A LIQUID POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL ESTER OF A FATTY ACID CONTAINING 10 TO 24 CARBON ATOMS, SAID POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF FROM ABOUT 200 TO 1,000, (C) FROM ABOUT 1% TO ABOUT 10% BY WEIGHT OF A COMPOUND HAVING THE FORMULA 